U.S. patent number 7,731,049 [Application Number 10/507,398] was granted by the patent office on 2010-06-08 for container with a cover indicating previous opening.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Jokey Plastik Gummersbach GmbH. Invention is credited to Marcus Blumenschein, Gustav Dengel, Frank Diesterbeck, Robert Guido Georgiadis.
United States Patent |
7,731,049 |
Dengel , et al. |
June 8, 2010 |
**Please see images for:
( Certificate of Correction ) ** |
Container with a cover indicating previous opening
Abstract
The invention relates to a container (1), especially a bucket or
similar, comprising an opening, which is orientated upwards and
which can be closed by a cover (3), and a peripheral container edge
(2), which is drawn outwards in a downward direction on the
container wall (5), where the cover (3) is detachably connected
thereto and whereon at least one tongue-like element (8) is
connected in such a way that at least one part of the cover (3) is
raised due to a pivoting movement away from a starting position on
the container wall (5). According to the invention, the tongue-like
element (8) engages with the container edge (2) from behind with
part of said tongue-like element which can be guided outwards by
the pivoting movement to a position in front of the container wall
(2) and the part of said tongue-like element is prevented from
being guided behind the container edge (2) when the tongue-like
element (8) pivots back in the direction of the initial
position.
Inventors: |
Dengel; Gustav (Gummersbach,
DE), Diesterbeck; Frank (Marienheide, DE),
Georgiadis; Robert Guido (Bergisch Gladbach, DE),
Blumenschein; Marcus (Marienheide, DE) |
Assignee: |
Jokey Plastik Gummersbach GmbH
(Gummersbach, DE)
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Family
ID: |
27797643 |
Appl.
No.: |
10/507,398 |
Filed: |
March 6, 2003 |
PCT
Filed: |
March 06, 2003 |
PCT No.: |
PCT/DE03/00744 |
371(c)(1),(2),(4) Date: |
August 24, 2005 |
PCT
Pub. No.: |
WO03/076290 |
PCT
Pub. Date: |
September 18, 2003 |
Prior Publication Data
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
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US 20060011631 A1 |
Jan 19, 2006 |
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Foreign Application Priority Data
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Mar 11, 2002 [DE] |
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102 10 486 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
220/284; 220/285;
215/49; 215/47 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D
43/0212 (20130101); B65D 2543/00296 (20130101); B65D
2401/10 (20200501); B65D 2543/00092 (20130101); B65D
2543/00796 (20130101); B65D 2543/00537 (20130101); B65D
2543/0074 (20130101); B65D 2543/00555 (20130101); B65D
2543/00685 (20130101); B65D 2543/00629 (20130101); B65D
2543/00944 (20130101); B65D 2401/55 (20200501); B65D
2251/023 (20130101); B65D 2543/00509 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B65D
43/10 (20060101); B65D 43/08 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;220/284-286,324-326,784,786,788 ;215/47-49 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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0 565 967 |
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Oct 2000 |
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EP |
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1 052 183 |
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Nov 2000 |
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EP |
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1 122 184 |
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Aug 2001 |
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EP |
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Other References
English translation of Internation Preliminary Examination Report
received in corresponding International Application No.
PCT/DE2003/000744 (4 pgs). cited by other .
International Search Report received in corresponding International
Application No. PCT/DE2003/00744 (3 pgs). cited by other.
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Primary Examiner: Stashick; Anthony
Assistant Examiner: Walker; Ned A
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Grossman Tucker Perreault &
Pfleger, PLLC
Claims
The invention claimed is:
1. A container having a wall, especially a bucket or similar,
comprising an opening, which is oriented upwards and which can be
closed by a cover, and a peripheral container edge, which is drawn
outwards in a downward direction on the container wall, where the
cover is detachably connected to the container and where said
container edge includes at least one tongue-like element, wherein
said at least one tongue-like element comprises a recess and said
container edge comprises an edge projection that engages said
recess, characterized in that said at least one tongue-like element
supports the cover in such a way that at least one part of the
cover is raised when said at least one tongue-like element is
pivoted away from a staffing position on the container wall,
characterized in that said at least one tongue-like element engages
said container edge from behind with at least one part of said at
least one tongue-like element, wherein said at least one part of
said at least one tongue-like element is covered by at least one
part of said edge projection of said container edge, said at least
one part of said at least one tongue-like element can be guided
outwards, in front of said container edge, when said at least one
tongue-like element is pivoted away from the starting position such
that said at least one part of said at least one tongue-like
element is visible to a user of said container after said pivoting,
and thereafter said at least one part of said at least one
tongue-like element cannot be guided back behind said container
edge when said at least one tongue-like element is pivoted back
towards its starting position.
2. The container according to claim 1, characterized in that said
part of said at least one tongue-like element is designed as an
integral part of said at least one tongue-like element.
3. The container according to claim 1, characterized in that said
part of said at least one tongue-like element can be deformed or
broken open during the pivoting movement of said at least one
tongue-like element.
4. The container according to claim 1, characterized in that edge
projection is provided with tongue that is engaged by said at least
one part of said at least one tongue-like element from behind.
5. The container according to claim 1, characterized in that a
predetermined breaking line is located in the area of said at least
one tongue-like element engaging tongue from behind.
6. The container according to claim 1, characterized in that webs
partially overlapping said recess are located on the side of said
at least one tongue-like element facing said container wall as
parts of said at least one tongue-like element between said edge
projection and said container wall.
7. The container according to claim 1, characterized in that said
at least one tongue-like element is connected to edge projection by
breakable links.
8. The container according to claim 1, characterized in that said
at least one tongue-like element is connected to the container edge
by breakable links.
9. The container according to claim 1, characterized in that parts
of said at least one tongue-like element are provided on the
lateral ends of said at least one tongue-like element, which engage
the respective lateral ends of said container edge facing said at
least one tongue-like element from behind.
10. The container according to claim 1, characterized in that ribs
are provided between the side of said at least one tongue-like
element facing container wall and container wall to impede a
pivoting movement towards container wall.
11. The container according to claim 1, characterized in that a
downward-facing edge side of said at least one tongue-like element
stands back relative to a lower end of said container edge drawn
downwards on said container wall.
12. The container according to claim 1, characterized in that said
at least one tongue-like element displays at least one operating
hole for performing the pivoting movement.
13. The container according to claim 1, characterized in that a
side of said at least one tongue-like element facing away from said
container wall displays a textured surface.
14. The container according to claim 1, characterized in that at
said at least one part of said at least one tongue-like element
located on said at least one tongue-like element displays a mark
that is at least partly covered by an area of container edge when
tongue-like element is in its starting position.
Description
The invention relates to a container, especially a bucket or
similar, comprising an opening, which is orientated upwards and
which can be closed by a cover, and a peripheral container edge,
which is drawn outwards in a downward direction on the container
wall, where the cover is detachably connected thereto and whereon
at least one tongue-like element is connected in such a way that at
least one part of the cover is raised due to a pivoting movement
away from a starting position on the container wall.
Containers or vessels of this kind, which can be manufactured from
elastic plastic materials by the injection moulding method, in
particular, are widely used because of their inexpensive
manufacture and their low weight. They are eminently suited to the
stocking, storage and transport of pourable goods in liquid or also
granulated form in handy packagings, without having to accept major
restrictions as regards weight or shape as a result of the
container itself. Moreover, the contents of the container need not
be consumed in a single operation, as the container can be
re-sealed with a cover, meaning that the contents can still be used
after opening the container once or several times.
However, this initially highly positive feature entails the
disadvantage that, as a result, the container must in some way be
provided with an indication for the user or buyer to show whether
or not an opening procedure has already taken place at some time;
in other words, the intactness or original condition of the
container should preferably be apparent even at only a fleeting
glance.
In general, the removal of a cover from a container is facilitated
by raising an area of the cover, for which purpose an aid of the
nature of a tongue-like element is used, such as known from U.S.
Pat. No. 3,753,512, for example.
A container of the kind mentioned in the opening paragraph is
known, for example, from EP 0 565 967 B2, which describes a
container to whose container edge a tongue-like element is
connected that raises the cover as a result of a pivoting movement
away from a starting position. In this context, at least one of the
face edges of the ends of a fastening flange is supposed to be
connected to the associated edge of the tongue-like element via
thin-walled, plastic webs or a plastic film that are easy to tear
off. A tamper-proof seal of this kind is disadvantageous because,
being easy to tear off, these webs can also be detached
unintentionally, thus indicating opening that has not in fact taken
place. In addition, the intended indication of previous opening is
also not necessarily unequivocal. If, for example, the cover is
placed back onto the container after being raised, and the
tongue-like element returned to its starting position, it may be
that the webs still remaining on at least one end of the edges more
likely suggest that the container has not yet been opened.
On a container disclosed in EP 1 052 183 A1, a tongue-like element
connected to the container likewise serves to raise the cover. When
in its starting position, sections of the tongue-like element are
overlapped, without engaging, by one or more web-like elements,
these elements being designed to break open or be deformed when the
tongue-like element is moved away from its starting position in
order to open the container. However, it can happen in this context
that, after subsequent re-closing, when the tongue-like element is
again in its starting position, the element or elements is or are
likewise back in their original position, i.e. come to rest on the
tongue-like element, meaning that indication of the previous
opening of the container is not guaranteed. At the same time, the
web-like elements overlapping the tongue-like element are also
susceptible to being damaged or torn off, e.g. during transport,
this again meaning that opening of the container would be indicated
without actually having taken place.
Therefore, the object of the invention is to create a container
with a device for raising the cover located on the container, which
is easy and inexpensive to manufacture and displays a device that
is capable of unequivocally indicating previous opening of the
container.
According to the invention, the object is solved in that the
tongue-like element engages the container edge from behind with at
least one part of the tongue-like element, said part of the
tongue-like element can be guided outwards, in front of the
container edge, by the pivoting movement, and said part of the
tongue-like element cannot be guided back behind the container edge
when the tongue-like element is pivoted back towards the starting
position.
Said part of the tongue-like element engaging the container edge
from behind initially ensures that no parts of the tongue-like
element project unfavourably from the container, and also that no
parts designed to be deformed, torn off or broken open are exposed
to the risk of being damaged prior to first-time use as intended.
During the pivoting movement to be performed in order to raise the
cover, said part of the tongue-like element engaging the container
edge from behind is guided outwards, in front of the container
edge. This provides a visible indication that makes it
unequivocally clear whether or not the container has already been
opened at some time, in that the part of the tongue-like element
previously covered by an area of the container edge is suddenly
visible to the user. In this context, said part of the tongue-like
element is designed in such a way that pivoting the tongue-like
element back, or replacing the cover after opening the container,
does not lead to a situation where said part of the tongue-like
element can be guided back behind the container edge. Rather, said
part of the tongue-like element comes to rest on the container edge
during this movement, mechanically opposing the return movement. In
this context, a further indication of prior use is that the
tongue-like element itself can no longer be completely returned to
its starting position and stands a certain distance off from the
wall of the container, this not affecting the fact that reclosing
of the container by means of the cover is, of course, still
possible. Finally, the design of said part of the tongue-like
element to some extent also permits unintentional movement of the
tongue-like element, without this impairing the information to be
communicated, in which context the tongue-like element is at the
same time protected against accidental damage.
In a preferred embodiment, said part of the tongue-like element is
designed as an integral part of the tongue-like element. It is easy
to manufacture as a result, there being no need to provide
additional moulds or subsequent moulding-on operations. In turn,
the tongue-like element is accommodated in an opening left in the
peripheral container edge, its radial extension essentially
corresponding to that of the remainder of the container edge.
Although not subject to any restrictions in terms of shape, it is
often of rectangular or trapezoidal design.
Said part of the tongue-like element can preferably be deformed or
broken open during the pivoting movement of the tongue-like
element. In this way, said part of the tongue-like element can be
guided outwards, past the comparatively rigid edge areas of the
container, during the pivoting movement. When the tongue-like
element is pivoted back, said part(s) of the tongue-like element
then come to rest from the outside on the edge areas that
previously covered them, meaning that they are then positioned
between the container edge and the side of the tongue-like element
facing this edge, as a result of which the pivoting movement of the
tongue-like element towards the starting position is impeded and
complete pivoting back is prevented, especially when replacing the
cover. Both said part(s) of the tongue-like element lying on the
container edge, and also the position of the tongue-like element
itself, are thus visible as an indication of previous opening of
the container.
In a preferred embodiment of the container according to the
invention, the container edge displays, in the region of the
tongue-like element, a downward-pointing edge projection that
engages a recess in the tongue-like element. In this context, the
essentially random contour of this downward-pointing edge
projection adapts to the recess provided in the tongue-like
element, clearance being provided between the edge projection and
the tongue-like element. As a result, when performing the pivoting
movement, which takes place via a hinge, the tongue-like element
can be pivoted away from the edge projection, meaning that the edge
projection disengages from the recess. In this context, the edge
projection is preferably provided with a tongue that is engaged by
said part of the tongue-like element from behind. This tongue is of
curved, forward-projecting design. Consequently, said part of the
tongue-like element located in the region of the recess is
overlapped by the tongue located on the edge projection, meaning
that the latter does not itself engage the recess in the
tongue-like element. The pivoting movement of the tongue-like
element leads to said part of the tongue-like element acting on the
side of the tongue facing the container wall, this causing
deformation of said part of the tongue-like element towards the
container wall. The rest of the tongue-like element then pulls said
part of the tongue-like element past the tongue, meaning that said
part of the tongue-like element moves to the side of the tongue
facing away from the container wall. The length and shape of the
tongue now prevent said part of the tongue-like element from being
moved back behind the tongue in the opposite direction.
To facilitate the raising of the cover brought about by the
tongue-like element, provision can be made in a further preferred
embodiment for a predetermined breaking line to be located in the
area of the tongue-like element engaging the tongue from behind.
When said part of the tongue-like element acts on the edge
projection or the tongue, the material of said part of the
tongue-like element partly breaks open, meaning that less force has
to be applied to perform the pivoting movement. In this embodiment,
a corresponding design of the edge projection or the tongue again
ensures that it is not possible to guide said part of the
tongue-like element back behind the edge area which it previously
engaged from behind.
In an advantageous embodiment, webs partially overlapping the
recess are located on the side of the tongue-like element facing
the container wall as parts of the tongue-like element between the
edge projection and the container wall. These webs are, for
example, of beam-like design and connected to the tongue-like
element at one or more points in the edge area of the recess.
During the pivoting movement of the tongue-like element, they act
on the side of the edge projection facing the container wall and
are initially bent back towards the container wall, before
subsequently being guided forwards, past the edge projection and
through the clearance between the edge projection and the
tongue-like element. When pivoting the tongue-like element back,
the webs can then no longer be threaded back through and come to
rest on the outside of the edge projection. As a result, the
tongue-like element can again not return to its starting
position.
To protect the tongue-like element against unintentional operation,
it can also be advantageous to provide for the tongue-like element
to be connected to the edge projection by breakable links. These
bridge the clearance between the tongue-like element and the edge
projection at certain points and prevent movement of the
tongue-like element relative to the rest of the container. The
links can then easily be detached during firsttime operation of the
tongue-like element in the process of raising the cover. In a
further development, the tongue-like element can, for example, also
be connected to the container edge by breakable links to provide
additional protection against unintentional operation of the
tongue-like element.
In a further advantageous embodiment of the container according to
the invention, parts of the tongue-like element are provided on the
lateral ends of the tongue-like element, which engage the
respective lateral ends of the container edge facing the
tongue-like element from behind. These parts of the tongue-like
element can initially likewise be designed in the form of beam-like
webs, which engage the container edge opposite the lateral ends of
the tongue-like element from behind at individual points. In
addition, however, an embodiment of said parts of the tongue-like
element is also conceivable where, for example, said parts
initially run perpendicular to the container wall in the manner of
wings or louvres and are then angled, engaging the container edge
from behind over part or all of the height of the tongue-like
element. In this context, the mode of action of such parts of the
tongue-like element in the form of louvres during the pivoting
movements is in principle identical to that of the webs. This also
makes it apparent that a host of possible varieties appears
conceivable as regards the parts of the tongue-like element
engaging the edge projection or the lateral edge of the container
from behind.
Moreover, it is advantageous to provide ribs between the side of
the tongue-like element facing the container wall and the container
wall to impede a pivoting movement towards the container wall. This
additionally ensures that any attempt to get the tongue-like
element into its starting position by force when pivoting it back
will be unsuccessful. Furthermore, the tongue-like element can be
additionally stiffened and stabilised by these ribs.
For the purpose of providing additional safety during transport, it
is advantageous in a further embodiment for the downward-facing
edge side of the tongue-like element to stand back relative to the
lower end of the container edge drawn downwards on the container
wall. This caters to the fact that tilting movements and skewing
can occur during transport, meaning that this measure attempts to
prevent unintentional operation of the tongue-like element and the
associated raising of the cover by impeding intervention on the
tongue-like element.
It is furthermore advantageous for the tongue-like element on a
container according to the invention to display at least one
operating hole for performing the pivoting movement. This
facilitates the intended use of the tongue-like element, since the
person using it is given a hole for the hand performing the
pivoting movement of the tongue-like element, or its fingers, and
can perform the movement easily and reliably as a result.
Moreover, it is advantageous in a further development for the side
of the tongue-like element facing away from the container wall to
display a textured surface. This can prevent slipping of the area
of the hand of a user that comes into contact with this surface
when operating the tongue-like element, meaning that the surface
provided with ribs, for example, benefits safe handling of the
container.
In a further advantageous embodiment, at least one part of the
tongue-like element located on the tongue-like element displays a
mark that is at least partly covered by an area of the container
edge when the tongue-like element is in its starting position. The
mark can comprise both lettering and a coloured marking, where, for
example, it would be conceivable to design said part of the
tongue-like element in a different colour than the container in
order to ensure greater attention of an observer to said part of
the tongue-like element, which is then completely visible after
opening. The mark is, however, not limited to this kind of marking.
Rather, further, very different types of marking are also
conceivable.
The invention is described in more detail below on the basis of
several practical examples. The associated drawings show the
following:
FIG. 1 A front view of the edge area of a first embodiment of the
container according to the invention, with a tongue-like
element,
FIGS. 2, 3 A sectional view of the container in FIG. 1 along Line
II-II, with the cover in place and the tongue-like element in its
starting position and in its pivoted position,
FIG. 4 A perspective front view of a further embodiment of the
container, with container edge, tongue-like element and edge
projection, as well as webs engaging the lateral edge of the
container as said parts of the tongue-like element,
FIG. 5 A view of the edge area of a further embodiment from below,
with webs engaging the edge projection from behind and louvre-like
parts of the tongue-like element that engage the lateral edge from
behind,
FIGS. 6, 7 Front views of two further embodiments of the
tongue-like element, with operating holes, and
FIGS. 8, 9 The front view of a further embodiment, with the
tongue-like element in its starting position and in its pivoted
position.
FIG. 1 shows a front view of an area of peripheral container edge 2
of container 1, made of a thermoplastic material, without cover 3.
Starting from the invisible container opening at the upper end of
container edge 2 and flange 4 located there, container edge 2
extends downwards along container wall 5. Between two lateral edges
6 of container edge 2, an opening 7 is provided that is open
towards the bottom and into which tongue-like element 8, connected
to the container edge, fits in its starting position, at a distance
from the lateral edges. The plane cross-section of tongue-like
element 8, the side of which facing the observer is provided with
ribs 9, tapers in the downward direction, while the downward-facing
edges of tongue-like element 8, which can in principle be of any
desired shape, and of lateral edges 6 end at the same level. In
this context, ribs 9 can be provided both to prevent slipping and
also for stiffening tongue-like element 8.
In the middle of the upward-facing edge area of tongue-like element
8 is recess 10, which is engaged by downward-facing edge projection
11, which tapers slightly in this direction and protrudes from
container edge 2. Located on edge projection 11, and leading down
from it and away from the container at an angle, is tongue 12,
which overlaps said part of the tongue-like element 13, which is
opposite edge projection 11 and located on tongue-like element 8. A
pivoting movement of tongue-like element 8 towards the observer
guides said part of the tongue-like element 13 past tongue 12,
meaning that said part of the tongue-like element 13 previously
covered by tongue 12 is then visible, whereas its invisible rear
side is then opposite tongue 12 and, owing to the shape and
arrangement of tongue 12, can not be guided back past it.
FIGS. 2 and 3 show a sectional view of edge area 1 of the container
in FIG. 1 along Line II-II, with cover 3 in place. In FIG. 2,
tongue-like element 8 is initially in its starting position. It can
likewise be seen that cover 3 is detachably connected to the edge
area of the container via flange 4 and snap-fit device 14. In this
context, peripheral inner edge 15 of the cover sits on inner wall
16 of container 1 in sealing fashion in the area of flange 4. Outer
edge 17 of the cover is designed with inward-protruding projection
18 in such a way that it forms snap-fit device 14 together with
protruding nose 19 of container edge 2. The underside of outer edge
17 is supported on edge projection 11 of container edge 2 and on
tongue-like element 8. In addition, reinforcing ribs 21 are also
integrally moulded on the inner side of tongue-like element 8 with
the aim of impeding pivoting movement of tongue-like element 8
towards container wall 5.
FIG. 3 shows tongue-like element 8, connected to container edge 2,
after a pivoting movement to be performed in the direction of the
arrow has taken place. During the pivoting movement, said part of
the tongue-like element 13 located on tongue-like element 8 acts on
tongue 12, initially pressing it in an upward direction, together
with edge projection 11. In this process, snap-in device 14
disengages, projection 18 of outer edge 17 of cover 3 being moved
past nose 19 of container edge 2 and coming to rest on its
upward-facing side. At the same time, inner edge 15 of cover 3
slides upwards on the inner wall of the container, still forming a
seal. Cover 3 can subsequently be easily released from container 1.
When the pivoting movement is continued, said part of the
tongue-like element 13 is finally guided past tongue 12, meaning
that the sides of said part of the tongue-like element 13 and of
tongue-like element 8 facing container wall 2 are opposite the
tongue. The pivoting movement of tongue-like element 8 gives a free
view of lateral edge 6, which was previously hidden in FIG. 2. It
can also be seen from FIG. 3 that the shape and arrangement of edge
projection 11 and tongue 12 prevent pivoting of tongue-like element
8 back into its starting position, this movement causing the rear
side of said part of the tongue-like element 13 and of tongue-like
element 8 to come to rest on the outer side of tongue 12.
In principle, the further embodiment presented in a perspective
front view in FIG. 4 shows an area of container edge 2 without
cover 3, similar to the illustration in FIG. 1. Here, container
edge 2 is provided, on both lateral ends of tongue-like element 8
and in the area of edge projection 11, with axial interruptions 24,
which continue in the axial direction into opening 7 between
lateral edges 6 and recess 10 of tongue-like element 8.
Interruptions 24 permit independent movement of tongue-like element
8 relative to edge projection 11 and lateral edges 6.
Again, tongue-like element 8, accommodated by opening 7, can be
seen in its starting position. In this case, however, the lateral
ends of tongue-like element 8 run parallel to lateral edges 6,
which are arranged in a perpendicular direction, meaning that
tongue-like element 8 does not taper in the downward direction.
Again, edge projection 11 protrudes into recess 10, located
centrally in the upper edge area of tongue-like element 8.
Rectangular strip element 22 with semi-circular end pieces 23 is
integrally moulded on the end of edge projection 11 facing
tongue-like element 8, the edges of strip element 22 and end pieces
23 lying opposite the edges of recess 10 at a distance. For
stabilisation, stiffening web 25 is provided on the outer side
facing away from container wall 5, partly covering strip element 22
and end pieces 23. On the side of tongue-like element 8 facing away
from the observer, parts of the tongue-like element 13 are
integrally moulded in the form of webs between tongue-like element
8 and container wall 5, partly overlapping recess 10 and thus
engaging strip element 22 and end pieces 23 from behind. In the
same way, at the two ends of the tongue-like element facing lateral
edges 6, lateral edges 6 are each engaged from behind by
longitudinal webs provided on the tongue-like element there as
parts of the tongue-like element 13. During the pivoting movement
taking place when opening, said parts of the tongue-like element 13
act on the sides of the rigid strip elements/end pieces, or of the
rigid lateral edge, facing the container wall, are pivoted and
simultaneously deformed, and guided past the rigid parts towards
the front. Once they have passed the obstacles, the elasticity of
the material causes them to essentially resume their previous,
integrally moulded position on tongue-like element 8. In this way,
when the tongue-like element is pivoted back, they come to rest on
the outer side of those parts of the edge of container 1 that they
were previously guided past. To improve handling, the top side of
tongue-like element 8 is again provided with ribs 9 in this
embodiment.
FIG. 5 shows a perspective bottom view of the edge area of a
further embodiment. Peripheral container edge 2 with lateral edges
6 can initially be seen in this figure. Opening 7, which is located
between lateral edges 6, continues into interruptions 24. Located
between lateral edges 6 is tongue-like element 8, the lower edge
and ribs 9 of which can be seen. Wing or louvre-like parts of the
tongue-like element 13 are integrally moulded on the two lateral
ends of tongue-like element 8. These engage lateral edges 6 from
behind in that they initially protrude perpendicularly from
tongue-like element 8 towards container wall 5 and then at an angle
towards the lateral edges. In this context, said parts of the
tongue-like element 13 extend in the perpendicular direction from
the lower edge of tongue-like element 8 over the length of the edge
of the tongue-like element opposite lateral edge 6.
More towards the centre of tongue-like element 8, reinforcing ribs
21 are provided on the rear side of the tongue-like element to
promote stability, alongside said parts of the tongue-like element
13. Even farther towards the centre of tongue-like element 8, there
then follow further parts of the tongue-like element 13, which are
designed to be guided past edge projection 11 (not shown). These
parts of the tongue-like element 13 again display an area pointing
perpendicularly towards container wall 5 and an angled area which,
however, points away from lateral edges 6 in this case. Between the
ends of these parts of the tongue-like element 13 are three domes
26, located on container wall 5 and projecting perpendicularly from
it. The rear side of container edge 2 extends between these domes
26, which are provided for reinforcement and stiffening, while edge
projection 11 (not shown) is located on their top side. Therefore,
in this embodiment, said parts of the tongue-like element 13 are
again guided past both the edge projection and the lateral edges
during the pivoting movement. In this context, the design of said
parts of the tongue-like element 13, with a section perpendicular
to container wall 5 and a section angled relative to it, is
particularly favourable for resiliently opposing any attempt to
move tongue-like element 8 back towards its starting position.
During this movement, said parts of the tongue-like element 13 come
to rest on the outer side of the edge areas that they previously
engaged from behind, meaning that the tongue-like element stands
out at an angle relative to the rest of container edge 2.
FIGS. 6 and 7 show two further embodiments of tongue-like element
8, where the functional principle of the tongue-like element
essentially corresponds to that in FIG. 1, although the end of
tongue-like element 8 itself facing container edge 2 is drawn
farther into container edge 2, meaning that a generally larger edge
projection 11 is obtained. Tongue-like element 8, which tapers in
the upward direction up to container edge 2 in the case of FIG. 6,
displays several operating holes 27 at its lower edge, into which a
user can insert his fingers to perform the pivoting movement.
Furthermore, reinforcing ribs 21, indicated by broken lines, are
integrally moulded on the side of the tongue-like element facing
the container wall. Also shown as broken lines on the side of edge
projection 11 facing container wall 5 are domes 26, which are
integrally moulded there. In addition, edge projection 11 in FIG. 6
is connected to tongue-like element 8 by breakable links 28 in the
form of connecting webs in order to protect tongue-like element 8
against unintentional operation.
In FIG. 7, opening 7 with associated tongue-like element 8 is
located within container edge 2, meaning that no opening 7 that is
open towards the bottom and bordered by lateral edges 6 is formed.
The largest part of tongue-like element 8 in terms of area is taken
up by the single operating hole 27, into which several fingers of
an operating hand can be inserted simultaneously to perform the
pivoting movement of the tongue-like element.
Finally, FIGS. 8 and 9 show two different positions of tongue-like
element 8 of a further embodiment, namely the starting position and
the pivoted position of tongue-like element 8. In this context, the
arrangement of domes 26, located between container wall 5 and
tongue-like element 8, corresponds to the illustration in FIG. 6.
The part of the tongue-like element 13 located centrally on
tongue-like element 8 displays essentially vertical, free lateral
ends opposite the edges of tongue-like element 8, which are
connected to the latter by breakable links 29. In this context,
said part of the tongue-like element 13 is covered by tongue 12 and
is connected in pivoting fashion to tongue-like element 8 via area
of thinner material 30 at its end facing operating holes 27.
Furthermore, located on the ends of tongue-like element 8 facing
lateral edges 6 are parts of the tongue-like element 13, which
initially engage lateral edges 6 in FIG. 8 from behind. After
reaching into operating holes 27, pivoting of tongue-like element 8
out of the plane shown in the figure towards the observer results
in links 29 breaking and in both part of the tongue-like element 13
located in the centre of tongue-like element 8 and also parts of
the tongue-like element 13 engaging lateral edges 6 from behind
being guided forwards. During the pivoting movement, the centrally
located part of the tongue-like element initially comes into
contact with tongue 12 from behind and, following breaking of links
29, is pivoted towards container wall 5, area of thinner material
30 serving as the pivoting axis in this context. Following the
pivoting movement and corresponding raising of cover 3 (not shown),
the situation illustrated in FIG. 9 results. It can be seen there
that said part of the tongue-like element 13 that pivots about area
of thinner material 30 has been guided past tongue 12, residues of
now broken links 29 remaining either on said part of the
tongue-like element 13 itself, or on tongue-like element 8, or on
both, while the lateral parts of the tongue-like element were
guided past the lateral edges. Complete pivoting back of
tongue-like element 8 is prevented by the fact that the central
part of the tongue-like element 13 comes to rest on tongue 12 and
the lateral parts of the tongue-like element 13 comes to rest on
lateral edge 6, meaning that tongue-like element 8 stands off from
its starting position at a certain angle.
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS
1 container 2 container edge 3 cover 4 flange 5 container wall 6
lateral edge 7 opening 8 tongue-like element 9 rib 10 recess 11
edge projection 12 tongue 13 part of the tongue-like element 14
snap-fit device 15 inner edge of the cover 16 inner wall 17 outer
edge of the cover 18 projection 19 nose 21 reinforcing rib 22 strip
element 23 semi-circular end piece 24 interruption 25 stiffening
web 26 dome 27 operating hole 28 breakable links 29 breakable links
30 area of thinner material
* * * * *